Cheapest Social Work Colleges in Washington

Social Work graduates from University of Washington-Tacoma earn $37,478 annually while paying just $10,017 net cost, making it the most affordable option among Washington's 11 programs. The state's healthcare sector, strengthened by major medical systems like MultiCare and CHI Franciscan, creates steady demand for social workers across clinical and community settings. Private programs command significantly higher costs, with Seattle University at $34,802 net price despite similar graduate earnings of $33,281. Eastern Washington University offers the lowest in-state tuition at $8,353, though graduates earn $31,850 annually.

Programs

$10,017 – $34,802

Net Price Range

$35,465

Avg. Program Earnings

57.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Social Work Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	Highline College Des Moines, Washington	$10,878	$4,623	38.6%
3	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893	$19,920	39.8%
4	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
5	Edmonds College Lynnwood, Washington	$13,461	$4,669	33.2%
6	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
7	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
8	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
9	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
10	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$33,027	64.2%
11	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington-Tacoma the best value for Social Work?

UW-Tacoma combines the lowest net cost at $10,017 with strong graduate earnings of $37,478 and a 62.30% graduation rate. Students graduate with manageable debt averaging $13,400, while accessing the university's connections to Tacoma's growing healthcare and social services sector.

How much do Social Work graduates typically earn in Washington?

Graduate earnings range from $31,850 at Eastern Washington University to $40,896 at Saint Martin's University. Most programs produce graduates earning in the mid-$30,000s, reflecting entry-level social work salaries that align with state averages for human services positions.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private Social Work programs?

Public programs average around $12,000 in net costs, while private institutions range from $21,370 to $34,802. Heritage University offers the most affordable private option at $11,893 net cost, serving a largely rural population in Toppenish.

Does the Washington College Grant help Social Work students?

The Washington College Grant covers full tuition at public colleges for families earning up to 55% of the state median income. This explains why schools like Eastern Washington University and UW-Tacoma offer such low net costs for qualifying students pursuing Social Work degrees.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.